Notices
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

Thermostat - Need quick answer PLEASE!

Old Jun 2, 2006 | 01:38 PM
  #1  
crawdad's Avatar
crawdad
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
Thermostat - Need quick answer PLEASE!

Boy, I feel silly asking this question, but which end of the thermostat goes toward the engine? Is it the spring end or the other end that goes toward the engine? I'm getting a bad water leak from underneath the thermostat housing and the only thing I can figure what's wrong is that the thermostat might be turned around. I put a new gasket on. Any other ideas? Truck is in my signature. Thanks guys.
 
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2006 | 02:17 PM
  #2  
l-m tech's Avatar
l-m tech
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,035
Likes: 2
From: duncan oklahoma
the spring goes toward the inside of the intake
 
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2006 | 02:47 PM
  #3  
hotstang's Avatar
hotstang
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Chesapeake, va
One more thing to check

I-m tech is right about the spring going toward the engine. Make sure it is centered in the thermostat housing goove. I had one slide out of the groove and didn't allow the housing to sit flat on the intake and caused a leak. I ended up RTVing the T-stat in the housing to keep it in place and then installing the housing to the intake.
 
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2006 | 02:54 PM
  #4  
Bob Ayers's Avatar
Bob Ayers
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,417
Likes: 3
From: Durham, NC
I agree! It is also possible to crack the housing if you try to tighten it down with the thermostat positioned wrong.....
 
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2006 | 03:34 PM
  #5  
crawdad's Avatar
crawdad
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
Thanks for the quick help fellas. As it turned out, it was the housing itself. Somehow it had warped (it's aluminum). I placed a straight edge across the housing and you could see the high and low spots. I bought a new housing from advance and that solved the problem. "Spring to engine", I've got to write that down in my manual so that I want forget it again.
 
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2006 | 05:12 PM
  #6  
mikeyswood's Avatar
mikeyswood
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 736
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati
There should also be an arrow on the side of a tstat that tells you the direction. I went through three crappy cast parts store housings before I was able to torque one to spec.

Gasket sealer works wonders when changing the tstat.

Mike
 
Reply


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:15 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE